CVE-2024-9863 in OTP Verification with Firebase Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2024
The UserPro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation in versions up to, and including, 3.6.0 due to the insecure 'administrator' default value for the 'default_user_role' option. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to register an administrator user even if the registration form is disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The CVE-2024-9863 vulnerability affects the UserPro plugin for WordPress, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security model of the content management system. This vulnerability exists within versions up to and including 3.6.0, making it a widespread concern for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. The flaw stems from an insecure default configuration where the 'default_user_role' option is set to 'administrator' instead of a more restrictive role, creating an inherent weakness in the plugin's access control mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the plugin's user registration process by manipulating the default role assignment mechanism. When the registration form is disabled at the WordPress level, attackers can still leverage the plugin's default settings to create administrator accounts through the UserPro registration interface. This occurs because the plugin does not properly validate or override the default role assignment even when global registration settings are disabled, creating a bypass mechanism that allows unauthenticated users to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving inadequate privilege management and role-based access control failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for affected WordPress installations. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this flaw to register an administrator account without requiring any prior authentication or authorization, effectively granting complete control over the WordPress site. This includes the ability to modify content, install malicious plugins, access sensitive data, modify user accounts, and potentially use the compromised site as a staging point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it enables attackers to establish persistent administrative access without legitimate credentials. Additionally, it maps to T1566 Impersonation by allowing unauthorized users to assume the identity of legitimate administrators through the creation of privileged accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9863 require immediate action from affected site administrators. The primary recommendation involves upgrading the UserPro plugin to version 3.6.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the insecure default role assignment. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including disabling the UserPro plugin's registration functionality if not required, monitoring user registration activities for suspicious accounts, and implementing proper access controls and network segmentation. System administrators should conduct thorough audits of all installed plugins to identify similar insecure default configurations and ensure that role assignments are properly validated and restricted. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure default configurations and proper input validation in web applications, as highlighted by security best practices in both OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security assessments and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar issues in other plugins and themes that may present similar privilege escalation risks.